On Air Force One with President Obama

One of the great moments in life is participating in history. Not many people gain that opportunity—but I have more than once. The pinnacle for a journalist with a passion for politics is to cover the White House. For the past six months, I have periodically traveled to Washington to witness to President Barack Obama remake America. I was the first magazine editor to interview him. I’ve had the privilege of sitting in the front row of news conferences as he has detailed his economic agenda and foreign policy objectives. But nothing prepared me for the experience of traveling on Air Force One.

I received the call on Monday from Corey Ealons, who works for the White House press office. He told me that I had been invited to participate in a reporters’ roundtable with the president as he flew to New York to address the NAACP convention commemorating the organization’s centennial anniversary.

I didn’t realize how profoundly this assignment would affect me. Some 45 years ago, the Civil Rights Act was passed. Up to that time, African Americans were basically relegated to second-class citizenship, denied the right to participate fully in American society. Yesterday, I was one of seven black journalists with an exclusive audience with the first African American President of the United States on the airborne White House—one of the world’s greatest symbols of power and authority. It would not be compromising my status as a fair and balanced journalist to admit that a wave of pride washed over me. I had come a long way from my hometown newspaper in Norfolk, Virginia. More importantly, African Americans had trekked an incredible distance over the last century to possess this level of power—and literally have a front-row seat covering it.

The trip started in the White House press briefing room where I met my fellow travelers—TV One’s Roland Martin, American Urban Radio’s April Ryan, Ebony‘s Kevin Chappell, Essence Magazine’s Cynthia Gordy, New York Amsterdam News‘ Herb Boyd and BET’s Pamela Gentry. When the van that carried me and my colleagues from the White House arrived at Andrews Air Force Base, my heart began to leap out of my chest as I viewed the huge blue-and-white 747 jetliner in front of me.

We didn’t board the plane from the rear with the rest of the White House press corps. We climbed the stairs in the front of the plane—the same stairs as the president. As we entered the plane, I was immediately awed by the stately interior. It smelled like power. We were then taken to the guest area—a row of brown leather seats and elegant dining tables. This is the same area where dignitaries and the presidential guests are seated—most recently, baseball legend Willie Mays who accompanied President Obama to Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game. Chapell, Ryan and Gentry had traveled on Air Force One before, but never from this vantage point.

I’m quite pleased that Black Enterprise was a part of this. I would have appreciated if this opportunity provided a platform for issues specific to African-Americans to be addressed. Pretty much every other groups needs/interests have been addressed but ours.

I am perturbed that BET (of all people) and Essence were even allowed to attend given their often overt/covert efforts to misrepresent/denigrate African Americans.

Laurence P

I am happy to see that our President opened the doors to Air Force One to African American journalists. Hopefully one day those same papers will open their pages to those from the LGBT community of people of color. It feels good to be appreciated and welcomed doesn’t it. Congratulations.

Bravo! What an awesome story to read during these trying times for our economy and our race. This story made me feel like I was reading a major first in Ebony or Life way back in the day. I’m glad you all were welcomed to have this opportunity. Where can we see the outcome of the entire interview?

Jake Taylor

Mr. Dingle,
Your story caused pride to swell in my eyes. This opportunity will cause Journalism Students all over america to reach for the stars. Once again preparation has met opportunity.

Derek,
I usually don’t comment on stories I’ve read, but having known you and Herb for more than 20 years, and being an alum of Black Enterprise, Essence and the Amsterdam News, seeing the photos of you guys on Air Force One was indescribable. Keep up the good work — it is, after all, what led to such a rare and unforgettable privilege.

Overall these inexpensive Jordan eanskers really are a amazing purchase. With some sites providing you these lower price for jordan eanskers for sometime double the price, it is extremely reassuring to find out that there is identified as a webpage which will cater for our necessities as consumers. We a amount of individuals the opportunity to begin up their Jordan 6 eanskers distribution business. They brought these Air Jordan eanskers from them in bulk as well as at a extremely inexpensive price. This webpage will provide you with every little thing which you require concerning inexpensive Jordan 11 you believe which you are prepared to begin up your personal house distribution company then this webpage ought to be the initial location which you visit. They market bulk orders plus they are prepared to even post you a sample prior to you location an purchase with them.this is without the need of a shadow of the doubt a organization which you can trust.And there is a single webpage which has usurped awash property of peoples pair for these Jordan 13 eanskers.But the disagreement instrument be which you need to obtain in magnitude quantities rather than honourable the a single distich.of flashy Jordan eanskers is procurable around the web..But the main difference faculty be which you necessity to acquire in bulk quantities rather than satisfy the a single duo. The guy of loud River eanskers is the web. And there is a single webpage which has assumed awash as well as of peoples appreciate for these Air Jordan Shoes.

Cida

damn delz you delz you ballin out of ctonrol my nigga , you got new heat like everyday , are you gonna rock these or you just gonna stock since their from 94, but as we all know the quality of the shoe is much better back then ., when i owned the retro from 2003 them squeeked all over the floor. superkix dont work for by the way , some of the shoes i typed in i couldn’t find or they were mad expensive.